According to the Australian Stud Book [6:413] Merman's
grandam, Surf, was bred to Rosicrucian in 1882. She proved barren and
was covered by Coltness and exported to Australia, where she foaled
Seaweed, a chesnut filly, in 1883.

Contrarily the General
Stud Book [15:459] records that Surf produced her first foal (by
Coltness) in 1882, was then covered by Rosicrucian and exported that
year.

Merman was sent to England in 1897 and there won his share
of races, including the Cesarewitch, the Jockey Club Cup Stakes (now the
British Champions Long Distance Cup), the Goodwood Cup, the Goodwood
Plate (now the Goodwood Stakes) and the Ascot Gold Cup.